Monthly Archives: June 2018

ISLAMABAD, June 30, 2018: The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), which is supported by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA), released a report on the digitized details of the assets and liabilities of the former Members of the 14th National Assembly, on Saturday.

The declaration of the assets and liabilities was obligatory for all lawmakers at the time of nomination as well as annually after their election under Sections 12(2)(f) and 42-A of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 (which has now been replaced with the Elections Act, 2017). The statements, submitted by the end of September each year, contained details of the assets owned by the lawmakers, their spouses and their dependents. The statements are then published in the official gazette for public information. Read More >>

ISLAMABAD, Jun 27, 2018: The 14th National Assembly dedicated almost eight percent of its agenda to matters concerning foreign affairs, anti-terrorism and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during its five-year term that concluded on May 31, 2018. The House preferred the government-sponsored and supplementary business items over private lawmakers’ interventions over these issues, says a press release issued by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Wednesday.

Pakistan witnessed crucial foreign relation challenges during last five years, including increasing tensions with neighbouring India and Afghanistan, various conflicts in the Muslim world, and strained ties with the United States (US) amidst warming relationship with Russia and the development of CPEC. Despite the urgency warranted by many of these issues, the government avoided proactive deliberation on foreign affairs in the National Assembly. In fact, some efforts by private lawmakers, particularly by opposition members, to take up these issues in the House were stalled. Read More >>

ISLAMABAD, June 12, 2018: The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)’s General Elections (GE) 2018 Update-IV is based on observation data gathered systematically from 130 districts by as many trained and non-partisan District Coordinators (DCs) during the latter half of May 2018 (May 16 to May 31). The information was collected through 731 interviews with representatives of 44 political parties and groups. Update-IV documents district-level political alignments and realignments prior to GE 2018, and includes key observation findings regarding 325 political gatherings held across the country.

Moreover, based on data gathered through methodical monitoring of 11 national and regional newspapers, the Update includes information on reported incidents of political and electoral violence and politically-motivated advertisements in the press. Additional observation findings on postings and transfers ahead of GE 2018 and allotment of election symbols are also included. Read More >>

ISLAMABAD, June 01, 2018: Despite political controversies in the past five years, the 14th National Assembly took up an unprecedented legislative agenda by approving 205 bills as compared to 134 and 51 bills passed by 13th and 12th National Assemblies during their five-year terms, respectively.

The House approved several important pieces of legislation, including five constitutional amendments during 56 sessions comprising 495 sittings, that provided for setting up military courts for an initial period of two years and their subsequent extension for another two years, reallocation of National Assembly seats among federating units on the basis of fresh census results, electoral reforms and the merger of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Elections Act, 2017, which reformed and consolidated the erstwhile eight separate election laws of the country, also saw light of the day during the term of the 14th Assembly. Read More >>

ISLAMABAD, May 31, 2018: The Balochistan Assembly passed four government bills and two resolutions during its last sitting that ended five minutes after the expiry of the Assembly’s term at 0005 hours on June 1, 2018, observers Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet. Following are key observations of the proceedings during…